READ THE CITIZENS' VOICE

Digital Only Subscription
Read the digital e-Edition of The Citizens' Voice on your PC or mobile device, and have 24/7 access to breaking news, local sports, contests, and more at citizensvoice.com or on our mobile apps.

Digital Services
Have news alerts sent to your mobile device or email, read the e-Edition, sign up for daily newsletters, enter contests, take quizzes, download our mobile apps and see the latest e-circulars.

Contact Us
See department contacts, frequently asked questions, request customer service support, submit a photo or place an ad.

Seminary survives on penalty strokes

Article Tools

WHITEHALL - Wyoming Seminary coach Karen Klassner, after her Blue Knights celebrated what they thought was the end of a classic state field hockey game against Southern Lehigh, exhaled her thoughts, or perhaps a plea for help.

Already her Blue Knights had lost a 1-0 lead to Southern Lehigh with 13:45 remaining. The teams traded shots in two 15-minute seven v. seven overtimes without a score.

They each converted three of five penalty strokes in the first round, with Sem goalkeeper Hannah Dressler and Spartan minder Katelyn Arnold making lunging saves.

Southern Lehigh actually held leads of 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2. Each time, the Blue Knights answered.

Finally, in the second overtime, confusion set in as to whether the teams would endure another five-person round or go sudden victory. Thinking they were playing sudden victory, Sem (16-6-1) celebrated following Georgetown-bound senior Devin Holmes' slow-pitched goal, and after Dressler stoned the next shot with her foot.

The second referee clarified that the teams were going through all five strokers again, however.

Klassner, a coach with five state titles - including the last two in AA - and almost 600 career victories, allowed her mind to trail back to 1996, the last time a team of hers went to strokes in the state tournament.

And yet, Tuesday night in Whitehall, over 2 hours and 20 minutes, she felt like she was watching her field hockey career play out before her.

Highs. Lows.

Steals. Turnovers.

Finally, prayerfully, as sideline toes numbed and emotions scrambled, as parents, fans and two awaiting Class AAA teams rimmed the goal abutting the Zephyrs' football stadium, Dressler stopped the last Spartan stroker with her chest and pads.

Blue Knights 2, Spartans 1.

And it was OK to celebrate. For real.

Holmes' slow, casual goal provided the margin.

"That was kind of like a changeup in baseball," she said of her subtle flick. "I knew we would win. We perform best under pressure. We've done that all season. It's grind time."

Her change-of-pace stroke upset the manic rhythm of the game. The up and down bursts were stopped by a slow trickle of what Holmes called "a shot of deceit."

Southern Lehigh (21-2) ended another amazing season with Arnold, its all-everything goalkeeper, saving the game and season repeatedly with dives and swats and stick swipes.

"I thought they had the advantage going into seven-on-seven play because of their speed," said Klassner. "And they are a senior-laden team with a lot of experience. Plus their goalie is fantastic."

Plus, Sem had lost both overtime games this season. Their lone tie never went to extra time.

The teams alternated threats in two overtimes. After two sudden-victory sessions, Seminary led in shots (12-8) and penalty corners (12-6), but they hadn't scored on Arnold since Alexis Quick tipped a rocket from the 25-yard line past Arnold 11 minutes into the contest.

One of Quick's front-line teammates-coaches, players, scorekeepers still weren't sure who-fired a rocket into the crease from on high, a bullet Arnold had tracked until Quick detoured its route.

Sem led 1-0 in the second round of strokes, too, until the Spartans' Maria McDonald-the lone Southern Lehigh player to attempt a stroke in the regular season-pushed one slowly through the five hole, setting up Holmes' heroics.

Arnold got beat high to her right early, then adjusted.

Dressler got beat low to her left, then adjusted.

Perfect symmetry.

Spartan coach Adrienne Searfoss cried as she fully understood the history and context of Tuesday night's game. "I've never seen double strokes as a player, and we didn't even go to strokes when I was in college (at Old Dominion)."

It was far better than the 7-0 loss to Sem in the state playoffs two years ago. Far better than the 3-0 loss last fall. Better, but not complete.

"All I know," said Searfoss, "is we played awesome."

Sem advanced to face District One champion Villa Maria, a winner over Palmyra, in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

We welcome user discussion on our site, under the following guidelines:

To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.

Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.